Практический курс английского языка - Камянова Т.
ISBN 5-85550-177-9
Скачать (прямая ссылка):
The United Kingdom consists of four main areas which are England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The largest among them is England with the area of 131,8 thousand sq. km. England borders on Scotland in the north, in the east is washed by the North Sea, in the south it is separated from the continent by the English Channel, in the West ft is washed by the Bristol Channel. England is mostly a lowland country with plenty of rivers and lakes. The capital of England is London, the greatest city in the country, which is as well the capital of the UK.
Wales is a peninsula washed by the sea on three sides. It's territory is 20,8 thousand sq. km. It is a highland country of old+tard rocks, with the highest peaks of Great Britain, rivers, waterfalls and lakes. The capital of Wales is Cardiff situated near the mouth of the Taff River.
Scotland lies in the north with the territory of 78,8 thousand sq. km. Scotland is divided into three regions: the Highlands, the Lowlands and the Southern Uplands which border on England. The Highlands of Scotland are among the oldest mountains in the world. The capital of Scotland is Edinburgh.
Northern Ireland occupies the north-east of the Island of Ireland (the southern part of Ireland belongs to the Republic of Ireland which is a completely independent state). Almost all the area of Northern Ireland is a plain of volcanic origin. There are low hills and peaks of rocks in the north-west. The rivers of Ireland are short, but deep. The largest river is the Shannon. The capital of Northern Ireland is Belfast.
The population of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is 59,78 million people (July 2002). The birth rate is 11,34 births to 1000 population; the death rate is 10,3 deaths to 1000 population. Four of every five people live in towns. Over 49 million people live in England (among them 9 million in London), over 3 million live in Wales, 6 million in Scotland and about 1,5 million in Northern Ireland. The average density is 228 persons per square km. But as it is seen from the figures the most thickly peopled part of Great Britain is England. It is not surprising then that the official language of the UK is English. The Scots, the Welsh and the Irish, who build together with the English the British nation, keep their historical traditions and their languages, which are nowadays officially supported and taught at schools.
The climate of the UK is generally mild due to the influence of the Atlantic Ocean with its Gultetream current. Equally important for English weather is the influence of high pressure system with the anticyclones on the one hand and the low atmospheric pressure with the winds from Atlantic on the other hand. It often rains, and on the average, Britain has 204 rainy days a year, with the maximum in Scotland, and the minimum in the estuary of the river Thames. In summer even on the most sunny days it can start raining. In autumn the weather may change several times a day. Average winter temperatures are 3-6 degrees above zero, average summer temperatures range from 15 degrees above zero in the northern areas till 18 degrees above zero in the southern areas.
Notes
1. an island ['ailand] (an isle [ail]), a peninsula [pi'nmsjuta] - остров, полуостров
2. to border (on) - граничить
3. a population - население
4. a density - плотность
5. a current - течение
6. average, on the average - средний, в среднем
7. to range - колебаться (в определенных пределах)
її
321
TEXT
THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (THE UK)
B. STATE SYSTEM. NATIONAL FLAG. NATIONAL ANTHEM.
The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy. Officially the Head of State is a king or a queen. The hereditary principle upon which the monarchy is founded is strictly observed in Great Britain. Since 1952 the Head of State is Queen Elizabeth the Il (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor). The Queen reigns with the support of Parliament. As well as carrying out significant constitutional functions, the Queen also acts as a focus for national unity, presiding at ceremonial occasions and representing Britain all over the world. The Queen is also Head of the Commonwealth countries.
The most important of all British symbols is the National flag, and it is flown by representatives of the United Kingdom all over the world in the military, in the navy, and in royalty. The flag of the United Kingdom, known as the Union Jack, is made up of three crosses. The upright red cross is the cross of St. George, the patron saint of England. The white diagonal cross is the cross of saint Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland. The red diagonal cross is the cross of St. Patrik, the patron saint of Ireland.
In 1606, the first flag of Great Britain was developed, which included the crosses of England and Scotland (at this point Ireland had not been united with England or Scotland). This flag was used until 1801. In this year Ireland became united officially with England, so the Nation's flag had to be changed to include the Irish Cross (red diagonal cross on white).
